Counselling & Consultancy

COUNSELLING SERVICES IN NORTHCOTE, COBURG AND ONLINE FOR:

  • INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

  • RELATIONSHIP & FAMILY THERAPY

  • GUIDANCE ON SUPPORTING AN LGBTIQA+ LOVED ONE

  • SECONDARY CONSULTS FOR WORKERS

Services Offered:

Individual Therapy

I provide 50-minute individual counselling sessions for people aged 6 years and over, or dyadic counselling (parent and child) for children under 5. I am an integrated therapist, with training and experience in a range of modalities. My counselling style is informed by attachment based theory, polyvagal theory, internal family systems (parts) theory and narrative therapy, amongst others!

 Let me know the kind of modality you prefer!

Relationship or Family Counselling

We explore how emotions, context and our histories drive interactional cycles, seeking to break negative patterns, re-establish boundaries and foster healthier connections.

I use systemic and structural family therapy principles, providing relationship counselling to all types of relationships, including monogamous, polyamorous and non-romantic relationships.

Secondary Consults for Workers

Are you working with an LGBTIQA+ client or looking to improve your practice in supporting queer and trans clients? I provide secondary consults to workers throughout therapeutic and community services, for example supporting psychologists working with young trans and gender diverse people.

Please email me for more information and we can book in a time.

Supporting LGBTIQA+ Loved Ones

Has a loved one recently come out? Or are you supporting someone who is struggling with their identity? This is a single session focused on providing you with tools to support your LGBTIQA+ loved one.

Guidance is tailored to your needs, topics can include supporting understanding trans identities, using new names and/or pronouns, how to talk to your child about gender and sexuality, supporting a young person socially transition and much more.

Common Themes:

  • Exploring gender identity and/or sexuality, including navigating family of origin, building confidence and navigating social and/or medical transition

  • Managing alcohol and other drug use

  • Being Neurodivergent / neurodiversity in a neurotypical world

  • School issues including bullying, violence or disengagement

  • Parenting support

  • Relationship challenges

  • Grief and loss

  • Suicidal ideation and/or self harm

  • Coping with stress

  • Trauma including from sexual abuse, violence, relational etc.

  • Anxiety

  • Depression

  • ADHD

  • ASD

What to Expect:

  • Individual counselling sessions for 16 years and older: first require a brief intake to be completed which is sent out via email.

  • Individual counselling sessions for 6-15 year olds: Intake to be completed by the referring caregiver which is sent out via email. Consent forms will need to be completed by all parents or guardians, unless there are safety or legal concerns (eg. intervention orders). The first appointment will need at least one parent or caregiver present for the first 10 minutes. Depending on the reasons for accessing counselling, it may be appropriate to meet with the parent or guardian on their own first.

  • Relationship counselling sessions first includes a brief intake completed by each person online, a session with all people of the relationship, followed by individual sessions with each person, as to screen for abuse and clarify goals for counselling.

  • Family therapy sessions are structured as needed and dependent on the issues raised. First an intake will be sent to the main contact. Initial sessions are often with the parental subsystem (including single parents), followed by appointments with all family members, siblings or individuals. As this can vary greatly, I will discuss this with you throughout the process.

About me:

Hello, I’m Dettie, a white social worker and tehrapist living on the unceded land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. I provide counselling for individuals, couples, and families. I have an invested interest in working with neurodivergent people, LGBTIQA+ people and their families, survivors of conversion and suppression practices, people who have used violence in relationships and people who experience complex and/or relational trauma. I work with people of all genders, sexualities, religions/faiths and cultures.

I’ve worked in community services over the past 10 years and am experienced working in mental health, family violence, homelessness, alcohol and other drugs, disability & supporting people leaving custody. I take a collaborative and transparent approach, and love to hear about what modalities and interventions you prefer (and those you do not like!).

In my practice I understand the oppressive systems that marginalised communities face everyday, I am constantly learning and growing in my practice and personal life to support individuals with therapy that is holistic and doesn’t ignore the environmental impacts of systemic oppression.

As a queer and trans person I bring lived experience to my work, aiming to create a safe and understanding space for individuals exploring gender, sexuality, and identity. Feel free to schedule a confidential session where we'll discuss your goals and concerns in a supportive environment, determining the best approach for your needs.

Qualifications:

  • Accredited Social Worker through Australian Association of Social Work

  • Bachelor of Social Work – Monash University – 2018

  • Bachelor of Arts – Monash University – 2018

  • Currently completing Masters of Clinical Family Therapy – Bouverie Centre - Latrobe University

Experience:

  • Currently employed as a general counsellor in a community health service

  • Over 10 years in community services including counselling and case management roles in LGBTIQA+ mental health, homelessness, family violence, aged care, alcohol and/or other drug use, disability support and supporting people leaving custody.

Acknowledgment of Country

I practice therapy on Wurundjeri land of the Kulin Nation, also known as Narrm/Birrarangga (Melbourne). I am white person that benefits from settler-colonialism, genocide and the ongoing dispossession of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lands in the Australian colony. I support calls made by First Nations people for landback, treaties and reparations and believe that sovereignty of this land has never been ceded. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.